Spinal Accessory Nerve
Spinal Accessory Nerve - Related Videos
01:21
Spinal Nerves: Plexus II
0 Views •
2024
The plexuses of the lower body include the lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal plexuses, which innervate the abdomen, pelvis, legs, and coccygeal region. These plexuses control the transmission of sensory information and coordinate motor functions of the lower body. The Lumbar Plexus The lumbar plexus is situated within the lumbar region of the back and is primarily formed by the first four lumbar spinal nerves (L1 to L4). This plexus extends its branches into several nerves, including the...
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Retrograde Loading of Nerves, Tracts, and Spinal Roots with Fluorescent Dyes
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Cited by 5 •
2012
We describe a simple and low cost technique for introducing high concentration of fluorescent and calcium-sensitive dyes into neurons or any neuronal tract using a polyethylene suction pipette.
20:14
Combining Peripheral Nerve Grafting and Matrix Modulation to Repair the Injured Rat Spinal Cord
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Cited by 21 •
2009
Traumatic injury to the spinal cord disrupts communication with the brain. To restore lost connectivity we utilize a peripheral nerve graft to provide a substratum for regenerating fibers in combination with neurotrophic factors and matrix-modulating enzymes to remove inhibitory molecules to promote long distance growth.
01:23
Spinal Nerves: Anatomy
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2025
Spinal nerves are pivotal conduits in the nervous system, bridging the central nervous system (CNS) with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These nerves enable a complex communication network between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, facilitating sensory input, motor output, and autonomic functions. There are 31 bilateral pairs of spinal nerves, each emerging from the spinal cord through the intervertebral foramina—openings between adjacent vertebrae. These nerves are...
01:22
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
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2024
Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region. The Cervical Plexus The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
FAQs
The two major target muscles provide complementary clues. Sternocleidomastoid activity supports head rotation and neck stabilization, whereas trapezius activity contributes to shoulder elevation and scapular positioning. Assessing these actions together is useful because dysfunction may affect neck movement, shoulder position, or arm elevation, linking the observed movement problem to the nerve’s motor role.
Symptoms can span two regions because the nerve contributes to two different muscle functions. Reduced sternocleidomastoid activity may be reflected in difficulty with head rotation or neck stabilization, while impaired trapezius activity may appear as shoulder droop, weak shoulder elevation, altered scapular positioning, or impaired arm elevation. This pattern connects separate complaints to one nerve injury.
Because its spinal root arises from upper cervical spinal cord segments and the nerve traverses the foramen magnum before exiting through the jugular foramen, procedures involving cervical regions can place it at risk. This anatomical relationship explains why postoperative assessment should include movements controlled by the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
A focused assessment includes shoulder shrug and head turning, since these movements test the principal actions associated with the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. The examiner should also note related functional findings such as shoulder droop, weakness, pain, or impaired arm elevation. Together, these observations help identify clinically meaningful nerve dysfunction.
Shoulder droop, weakness, pain, and impaired arm elevation are important findings, particularly when they occur with difficulty turning the head or stabilizing the neck. These signs reflect disrupted control of the muscles supplied by the nerve and can indicate that the problem affects both shoulder mechanics and cervical movement rather than producing an isolated symptom.
Loss of effective trapezius and sternocleidomastoid function can interfere with several connected tasks: stabilizing the neck, rotating the head, positioning the scapula, elevating the shoulder, and raising the arm. Recognizing this combination helps clinicians relate impaired upper-body movement to a possible nerve injury, especially after a cervical procedure where the nerve is clinically vulnerable.